Pope Leo XIV featured in Vanity Fair's 2026 best-dressed list

On August 31, 2026, the magazine Vanity Fair released its first best-dressed list in a decade, featuring 70 notable individuals. While the list includes expected industry icons such as Nicole Kidman, Kendall Jenner, Tom Ford, Lenny Kravitz, Rosalía, Björk, and Grace Jones, it notably includes 70-year-old Pope Leo XIV among its selections.

The publication praised the leader of the Roman Catholic Church for elevating papal style to new heights. The decision was largely influenced by a recent Vatican-produced documentary, which captured the Pope wearing a pair of Nike sneakers underneath his traditional white papal vestments in a brief, widely circulated frame.

This inclusion marks a significant shift in the magazine's traditional focus on Hollywood and pop stars, recognizing the Pope for his unique and recognizable personal style. No further actions or developments regarding this fashion recognition have been announced by the Vatican or the publication.